Military personnel from the 11th Wing carry out maintenance of aircrafts on the Land Support Team of the ‘Orion’ Tactical Air Detachment

 Specialised maintenance tasks by these teams, which ensures ground air operations, are key to the success of EUNAVFOR Operation ‘Atalanta’.

Military personnel from the 11th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force, who are specialized in aircraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE), have travelled from their air base in Morón, Seville, to Djibouti to do technical maintenance work to guarantee operability of the 'VIGMA' D-4 air system, deployed at the ‘Orion’ Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) as part of EUNAVFOR Operation ‘Atalanta’.

Among the most important tasks were the recovery of a tow tractor, which is essential for the safe movement of aircraft on the ground, and the air conditioning overhaul that cools the on-board electronic equipment. In addition, a technical review on the portable air conditioning unit was carried out, along with a complete inventory of the detachment’s Ground Support Equipment and the implementation of a QR code identification system, which will improve control, traceability and management in future operations.

Finally, during the inspections, the technical staff of the 11th Wing optimised the equipment’s condition in order to ensure its maximum performance and availability for the mission.

All in all, the work of the military personnel from the GSE team is crucial to the detachment’s daily operations. They are also a key element in guaranteeing the safety, effectiveness and continuity of air operations in the deployment area. Their direct contribution to the mission reinforces the effectiveness of EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta in the protection of maritime traffic in a region that is strategic for international stability.

Operation ‘Atalanta’

Operation Atalanta is the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted following the increase in piracy in the Indian Ocean since 2005. More importantly, with Spain’s support, it became the first European Union naval operation deployed under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), as agreed on EU Council in November 2008.

At the end of 2024, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation’s mandate until 28 February 2027, which provides an account of the achievements made and the forthcoming challenges. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been expanded in successive mandates and it currently includes the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat, Oman, the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.

Spain is currently contributing to Operation Atalanta with the following assets and units:

• The Atalanta Operation Headquarters (OHQ) at the Naval Station Rota.

• One vessel/warship

• A mixed airborne unit (UNAEMB), consisting of a Seahawk and ScanEagle UAV.

• A Naval Special Operations Forces team, during inter-monsoon periods only, or an Operational Security Forces Team, during all periods.

• A maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (‘Orion’ TAD) in Djibouti during inter-monsoon periods.

• Liaison Offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).

Spain has been the only EU country to have participated in a continuous manner in the Operation ‘Atalanta’ from the beginning of its deployment since 16 years ago.